Houston-based AG&P has debuted two technologies for its small-scale LNG regasification modules

“I am originally from Latin America and I have seen the issue of getting gas to customers that are off the grid,” said AG&P vice president of process engineering and operations Nancy Ballout, adding “This is the puzzle AG&P set out to solve”.

With this in mind, Ms Ballout explained that AG&P is recognised as a fabricator, but is currently moving into the engineering sector. Its solution to the above-mentioned ‘puzzle’ uses two different technologies that are packaged in modules; this means that as its clients’ requirements grow, additional regasification modules can be added.

The two technologies are water bath-type vaporisation and fan ambient air vaporisation.

Water bath-type vaporisation (WBV) utilises fire tubes to transfer heat to a bath of water by convective and conductive heat transfer. The combustion gas never directly contacts the water. To minimise emissions and improve efficiency, the design can also include low NOx burner technology and a waste heat recovery economiser, increasing efficiency without the complexity associated with other systems.

According to AG&P, this design is flexible and suitable for offshore and onshore applications where space is limited. It is also ideal for cold climates and environmentally-regulated sites, including those where an open-loop system is not feasible. The company also noted that while designed to be used in offshore/floating applications, the design is comparable to submerged combustion vaporisers (SCVs) normally used onshore in cold climates.

AG&P has also developed an advanced fan ambient air vaporisation (FAV) technology for subtropical and tropical locations with ambient air temperatures greater than 15°C. The technology simplifies the design of the regasification train, its operations and maintenance, according to AG&P. Other benefits include reduced size as the FAV regasification trains have been designed to minimise size and complexity, allowing for a faster build and easier installation. The modules can also be split into two or stick-built and installed onsite, making it suitable for sites that cannot be accessed with a single, prefabricated module.

Ms Ballout said: “These two new technologies complement AG&P’s water-glycol shell and tube (STV) standard technology for regasification modules. All three technologies can be scaled to meet current demand, with flexibility to expand to match future growth and investment.”

The modules are standardised with a 125 mmscfd process train and each consists of a high-pressure pump, tube and shell exchanger, boil-off gas (BOG) recondenser, HIPPS, ESDV/F&G/CAMS and a control room.

“We have a vendor list of suppliers and keep many of the parts in stock,” said Ms Ballout, adding “We have everything ready. If you want a 60 mmscfd process train, you can run the 125 mmscfd at a lower rate.”

The technology allows AG&P to configure hybrid terminals in a cost-effective manner and enables installation in locations that are currently constrained or inaccessible. “Modularisation ensures faster fabrication and easier transportation, so facilities are up and running sooner,” said said Ms Ballout.

The three technologies will be deployed at AG&P’s LNG import terminal at Karaikal Port in India and at two facilities currently under development in Latin America.